What Makes a Good Arbitrator?
A capable arbitrator has training and experience in arbitral law and procedures, civil trial practice and the subject-matter of the dispute. These skills can be measured by, for example, academic degrees, years of professional litigation service or practice in a relevant profession, qualifying training credentials, and a record of writing and teaching in the field. A good arbitrator also has a reputation for professionalism, integrity, impartiality and decisiveness. These traits can be demonstrated by such things as membership and leadership in professional organizations that are devoted to dispute resolution and adhere to a published code of conduct. Finally, an arbitrator should display sound judgment and judicial temperament. These qualities can be shown, in part, by the number of sponsoring organizations with which the arbitrator is associated, and by the arbitrators length of service on the panels of such sponsoring organizations.
